Shoe.



PATENTED SEPT. 11', 1906.

M. V. B. BVESSON.

l SHOE. APPIIOATI'ON FILED Illn, 1906.

A TTORNE YS 1H: nonms PErsRs ca.. wAsmNaroN. D. c.

UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 1 1, 1906.

Appligation filed March 26, 1906. Serial N0. 308,155.

.To a/ZZ whom/t may concern.-

Be it known that I, MARTIN V. B. EvEssoN, a citizen of the United States, residingat Sabine, in the county of Jefferson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Shoe, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shoes g and its object is to provide means whereby the lacing and unlacing of a shoe are facilitated and the shoe is prevented from wrinkling above the instep.

Another object is to provide rigid shaperetaining means within the shoe which do not interfere with the action of the joints of thefoot and which prevent the shoe stretching ,out of proper shape.

A still further object is to provide a shaperetainer of this character which does not detract from the appearance of the shoe and which permits the use of a very short lace.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of a shoe having the usual front opening, within the edges of which are concealed non-flexible strips so disposed as t0 hold said edges against wrinkling and retain the instep portion of the shoe in proper shape, these reinforcing or shape-retaining strips being located so as not to4 interfere with the action of the joints of the foot. is ada ted to be inserted within the shoe at opposite sides of the opening and between the shape-retainers,l and by tightening this lacing the entire front portion of the shoe can be quickly closed and will remain in proper shape.

The invention also consists of certain other novel features of construction and combinations of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings is shown the preferred form of the invention.

In said drawings, Figure l is a perspective view yof a shoe having these improvements thereon. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section along one side of the shoe-opening, and Fig. 3

. is a transverse section through the shape-retaining means.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a shoe having the usual front opening 2, extending from the ankle portion to a point 3, which is directly at the instep of the foot. interposed between the thicknesses of the shoe and alon the edges of the opening are non flexib e strips 4, preferably formed of metal and which extend from the A lacing point 3 upward to points about midway. of the opening. Additional non-flexible strips 5 are interposed between the thicknesses of i the shoe along the upper portion of the edges of the opening, and eyelets 6 or other forms of lace-engaging devices are 'arranged on the shoe between the strips 4 and 5 for engagement by a lacing 7. The lower eyelets are disposed close to the upper ends of the strips 4, while the upper eyelets are preferably disposed to the side of the lower portions 5, as shown clearly in the drawings. The strips 4 and 5 can be perfectly straight or can be shaped to conform with the contour of the oot.

In using a shoe such as herein described the lacing 7 is inserted through the lower eyelets 6, which, as before stated, are located adjacent the upper ends of the strips 4, and said lacing is then inserted through the remaining eyelets in the usual manner, and its upper portions of course overlap the lower ends of the strips 5, because some of the eyelets are arranged above said ends. When the lacing is pulled taut, the lower strips 4 will of course be brought together, so as to completely close the lower portion of the front opening, and

the intermediate or unreinforced portions of' the edges of the front opening will be drawn together by the direct engagement of the lacing therewith. When the upper portion of the lacing has been fastened, it will pull t0- gether the upper strips 4 and insure a snug fit of theupper portion of the shoe around the ankle portion of the foo By arranging the parts as herein shown the shoe, besides being prevented from wrinkling along the front opening, is held snugly upon the foot, although a very short lacing is provided and that is located between'the ends of the opening. Considerable importance is attached to the fact that the strips 4 and 5 are non-flexible, because by the employment of strips of this character the shape of the shoe is positively maintained. Attention is also attracted to the fact that the strips do not extend throughout the length of the opening, but are spaced apart, so that the natural action of the joints of the foot will not be in any wise interfered with thereby.

What is claimed isl. The combination with a shoe having an opening therein; of non-flexible shape-retaining strips secured along the edges of the opening and spaced apart at'their ends, and means IOO IIO

interposed between the ends and overlapping` some of the strips for drawing the edges together.

2. The combination with a shoe having an opening therein; of non-flexible shape-retaining strips secured along the edges of the opening and spaced apart at their ends, and means interposed between the ends of the strips for holding the edges of the opening together and binding the edges of the opening throughout their lengths upon the foot.

3. The combination with a shoe having an opening therein extending from the ankle to `the instepthereo; of non-flexible shape-retaining strips inolosed within the edges of the opening and spaced apart at their ends, and means interposed between the ends of the strips for holding the edges of the opening together. A

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afliXed rny signature in the presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN V. B. EVESSON. Witnesses:

JAMES KEEFE, SAM WEIMSTEIN. 

